The 72nd Anniversary of the Republic of Kurdistan

Today marks the 72nd anniversary of the Republic of Kurdistan. On January 22, 1946, Qazi Mohammad – revered as Peshawa (meaning leader in Kurdish) among the Kurdish nation – declared the Republic of Kurdistan in the city of Mahabad in eastern (Iranian) Kurdistan.

Peshawa Qazi, the first leader of the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan, was the President of the Republic of Kurdistan. Every year, Kurds all over the world celebrate the anniversary of the republic on January 22.

This year, PDKI celebrated the anniversary of at its headquarters in Koya, located in southern (Iraqi) Kurdistan.

Dr. Miro Alyar, a member of PDKI’s leadership, delivered a speech in which he emphasized the progressive nature of the Republic of Kurdistan at a time when the Middle East was dominated by backward ideas and authoritarian regimes. The Republic of Kurdistan, Dr. Alyar said, “provided liberty and security for Kurds as well as non-Kurds, while making gender equality one of its main objectives and achievements.”

Most important, Dr. Alyar added, the Republic of Kurdistan is of political and historical importance for the Kurdish nation because of its national achievements in terms of protecting and developing the Kurdish language, providing a space for the protection of Kurdish national identity and human dignity for Kurdish individuals, and the creation of national institutions to further Kurdish national interests.

“We have, therefore, every reason to be proud of the Republic of Kurdistan,” Dr. Alyar averred.

Meanwhile, urban Peshmerga units as well as PDKI’s Peshmerga Forces in the Zagros Mountains renewed their commitment to continue the struggle for the attainment of Kurdish national rights in the spirit of the Republic of Kurdistan, and to fight Iranian occupation of eastern Kurdistan.